Kartuzy – Collegiate Church, Museum and Lakeside Paths

• The collegiate church is a Gothic sacred building from the 14th century and a testament to the work of the Carthusian Order.
• The Kashubian Museum displays, in eight halls in its main building, items from local working life and works of Kashubian folk art, among other things.
• Promenada Asesora is a walking and cycling path along the shore of Lake Karczemne.
• The green Nordic walking route runs entirely through the forest along wide, surfaced paths in hilly terrain.

The collegiate church combines architectural history with a distinctive visual language. Its Gothic building dates from the 14th century and represents the work of the Carthusian Order. The roof is Baroque and shaped like a coffin lid. This unusual design refers to the Order’s monastic way of life and the motto “memento mori.” Those interested in sacred architecture will find not only a historic church building here, but also a striking symbol whose meaning becomes clear through the Order’s history.

Music is also part of the cultural offering: every summer, the Kartuzy Festival of Organ and Chamber Music is held in the collegiate church. Kartuzy thus offers cultural themes encompassing architecture and the history of the Order, as well as two different forms of concert.

The exhibits in the main building of the Kashubian Museum are spread across eight exhibition halls. They include items from the working life of the local population and works of Kashubian folk art. The exhibition thus combines insights into everyday life in the region with its artistic forms of expression—two useful perspectives if you would like to explore the local culture.

Another part of the museum is housed in the outbuilding. The extensively revitalised building opened in 2019; it houses Bazyl’s forge and the exhibition “Kaszubska współczesność z korzeni wyrasta.” Together with the halls in the main building, the museum offers a variety of themes and exhibition areas, including crafts, working life and folk art.

Promenada Asesora is a walking and cycling path along the shore of Lake Karczemne. Connected to it is Ławka Asesora, which serves as a viewpoint overlooking Kartuzy. If you enjoy exploring on foot or by bike during your stay, you can follow this lakeside path; the viewpoint adds a view over the town.

The green Nordic walking route offers a different landscape. It starts and ends at Ławka Asesora and runs entirely through the forest. Its paths are wide and surfaced, and the terrain is hilly. In contrast to the lakeside promenade, the route is shaped by forest and changes in elevation. These features can help you decide which setting better suits your interests: a path by the lake or a Nordic walking route through hilly, wooded terrain.

At Kartuzy’s integration station, the Ty2-14 steam locomotive and its tender stand as monuments to the local railway tradition. These two railway vehicles provide another distinct highlight alongside the town’s cultural attractions and paths.

If you would like to compare other destinations as well as Kartuzy, you can also include Widlino Widlino, Borucino Borucino, Egiertowo Egiertowo, Kczewo Kczewo, Brodnica Górna Brodnica Górna, Długi Kierz Długi Kierz, Somonino Somonino and Załakowo Załakowo in your selection.

What is the significance of the collegiate church’s roof?

The Baroque roof is shaped like a coffin lid. It symbolises the Carthusian Order’s monastic way of life and the motto “memento mori.”

What can you see at the Kashubian Museum?

Eight exhibition halls in the main building display, among other things, objects from local working life and works of Kashubian folk art. The outbuilding houses Bazyl’s forge and another exhibition.

Where does the green Nordic walking route start?

It starts and ends at Ławka Asesora. The route runs entirely through the forest along wide, surfaced paths in hilly terrain.

For the higher-level travel overview: Karthaus.